munich



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

A.MUNIGH.

DESK.

(No Model.)

No. 554,452. ,Patented P55. 11, 1896.

F I G l (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet-.

A. MUNICH."

' DESK- No. 554,452. Patented Feb. 11, 1896.-

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NiTED STATES ATENT Fries.

ANTON MUNICH, OF KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS.

DESK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 554,452, dated February 11, 1896.

Application filed April l 1895. Serial No. 544,092. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ANTON MUNICH, a citizen of the United States, residing at North Kankakee, in the county of Kankakee and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Desk, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in desks and like furniture comprising a tier of drawers, and the object. of the same is to provide the .desk or the drawers thereof with a novel locking mechanism whereby all the drawers are locked and are capable of being unlocked by means of a slide or drawer and intermediate releasing devices which are operatively connected with the said slide or drawer on pulling the latter out a proper distance, but which, if drawn out too far, will cause the said locking mechanism to again be thrown into operative relation and fasten the said drawers, and to provide a novel and convenient newspaper file and rack which is susceptible of adjustment to any required position to suit the ease and comfort of the user, and which can be folded into a compact form when not required for use.

For a full understanding of the invention reference is to be had to the following description and the drawings hereto attached, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective viewof a desk having the invention applied thereto, the newspaper file and rack being shown in position for use. Fig. 2 is a top planIview of the desk with the top removed, the newspaper file and rack being folded into a compact form and shown in the position which it will occupy when stored away. Fig. 3 is a section on the line X X of Fig. 4, looking to the left, as indicated by the arrow. Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the call-bell and the means forsounding the same. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the newspaper file and rack, showing it set up for use and in a difierent position from that illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a detail View of a spring-actuated catch. Fig. 7 is a detail View showing the spring for returning the bell-operating mechanism to a normal position after being actuated. Y Fig. 8 is a detail view of a portion of the newspaper file and rack, showing clearly the operation of the spring-holder and the extensible support.

The invention is designed to be applied to office and like furniture usually provided with a series of drawers, and is illustrated in the drawings in connection with a desk because the latter is illustrative of its most general application.

The desk 1 may be of any desired style and comprises a series of drawers 2 on each side of a centrally-disposed space. Alarge drawer 3 is located between the vertical series of drawers 2 and directly above the said central space. Each of the drawers is provided 011 its rear side with a spring-actuated catch 4 of well-known construction, and which is adapted to engage with looking-bars 5. These looking-bars extend vertically in the rear of the series of drawers 2 and are pivoted at their lower ends to the frame of the desk, the upper ends being connected by a bar 6. An extension 7 depends from the connecting-bar 6 and is adapted to be engaged by the catch 4 of the large or middle drawer 3. Under normal conditions the locking-bars 5 and the extension 7 are engaged by the catches 4, thereby locking the drawers 2 and 3.

A slide or drawer 8, located at a convenient poin t, preferably immediately below the desktop 9 and over a vertical series of drawers 2, has one end of a link 10 pivotally connected therewith, the outer end of the said link having pivotal connection with the front end of a lever 11, the inner end of which is pivotally connected with the bar 6. The link 10 and lever 11 form the releasing devices for the drawer-locking mechanism. \Vhen the slide or drawer 8 is pushed in to the limit of its movement, the link 10 occupies an oblique position relative to the front face of the desk. IVhen the slide or drawer 8 is pulled out to such a distance that the link 10 will occupy aposition parallel with the front of the desk, the lever 11 will be in a position so as to hold the locking-bars 5 out of engagement with the catches 4:, thereby releasing the drawers and admitting of any one being opened. However, should the slide 'or drawer 8 be pulled out too far the drawer-locking mechanism will again be thrown into operative relation and fasten the drawers. It is essential, therefore, that the link 10 occupy approximately a position parallel with the front of the desk when it is desired to gain access to any of the drawers.

It will be understood that the slide or drawer 8 will be secured by any well-known form of lock, so as to prevent its being opened by persons of an inquisitive turn of mind. In the event of a drawer being left open after the locking mechanism is thrown into operative position the said drawer can be fastened by simply pushing it in, the spring-actuated catch yielding to pass by the locking-bar and automatically engage therewith in the usual manner.

The call-bell 12 is of usual construction, and is conveniently located, being preferably arranged on the back of the desk immediately below the middle drawer 3. A lever 13 is pivoted between its ends to the back of the desk, and its lower end is adapted to engage with the push-bar 14 of the hell, by means of which the mechanism of the latter is released and the bell sounded. A push-rod 15 is located immediately beneath the desk-top and is connected at its inner end with the upper end of the lever 13, and its outer end is provided with a push-button 16 arranged in the front side of the desk and adapted to be pressed upon when it is required to sound the bell to summon assistance. In order to avoid interference between the push-rod 15 and the contiguous end of the link 10 the said push-rod has an offset portion 17 opposite the adjacent end of the link 10 to provide clearance therefor.

The newspaper file and rack is adapted to fold compactly within a drawer 18, which is preferably the companion of the slide or drawer 8, and when in use is supported by the said drawer 18, the latter being pulled out substantially as shown in Fig. 1. A bar 19 is located in a recess 20 formed in the upper edge of the inner side piece of the drawer, and is pivoted midway of its ends to the said side piece within the recess 20' so as to swing in a horizontal plane to bring the newspaper to a convenient angle. A frame 21 is hinged to the bar 10 and is adapted to fold so as to lie snugly within the drawer 18. This frame is of sufficient size to receive the newspaper or other periodical which it is desired to store therein for convenient reference. A brace 22 is pivoted at one end to the frame 21, and is adapted to support the latter at the required inclination when reference is had to the file. This brace 22 folds closely against the side of the frame 21 so as to lie within the drawer 18. A spring-holder 23 is located on the inner side of the frame 21, and is designed to engage with the back edge portion of the newspapers or periodicals and hold the latter in place within the frame 21. This spring-holder is preferably an approximately straight rod which is secured at one end to the side of the frame and has its opposite end constructed to press upon the newspapers and retain the latter in place. An extensible support 24 is provided on the left-hand side of the frame 21 to sustain a leaf of the newspaper when turned to one side to admit of access to the interior pages. This extensible support consists of a bar 25 and pivoted arms 26, the latter having pivotal attachment at their respective ends to the frame and the bar 25, the parts being so disposed as to form with the side of the frame a parallelogram which will admit of the bar 25 folding close against the side of the frame 21 when the said support 21 is not required for service.

When the newspaper file and rack is required for service, the drawer 18 is pulled out and the frame 21 tipped to the required inclination both vertically and laterally by means of turning the frame on its hinge con nection with the bar 10 and swinging the latter on its pivotal connection with the drawer, the brace 22 being adjusted so as to support the frame 21 in the located position. hen it is required to turn a leaf of the newspaper and support the same, the support 24 is extended, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5. \Vhen the newspaper file and rack is folded, the bar 1'.) fills the recess 20 and forms a continuation of the side of the drawer 18.

A desk constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is adapted to have all of its drawers securely locked, and is provided with a readily-operated call-bell to summon help, and newspapers or similar periodicals can be conveniently stored for ready reference and held in any desired position to suit the convenience and comfort of the user.

In the adaptation of the invention it is obvious that changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

In the construction of desks and furniture provided with a series of drawers, it is desirable to provide a locking mechanism capable of being actuated by means of a single movable part, whereby all the drawers of the series can be locked and unlocked at one operation. In the present instance the drawer 8 is the movable part by means of which the drawer-lockin g mechanism is actuated. For general use it is preferred to dispense with a locking device for the movable part, and it has been found necessary to so proportion the parts that when the drawer 8 is drawn out to a given point the drawer-locking mechanism will be released, and should the said drawer be moved outward a little' too' far or not quite enough, the drawer-looking mechanism will perform the function of securin g all the drawers and prevent them from being opened. Thus, should a person become acquainted with the particular drawer for actuating the drawer-locking mechanism and yet not know the exact position or point to which the same must be drawn out, he cannot gain access to the other drawers of the series. Hence the advantage of having the drawer locking mechanism released by means of the drawer 8 when the latter occupies a position between its extreme outward and inward movements.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new is 1. In a desk or similar article of furniture provided with a series of drawers, the combination of a locking mechanism common to all the drawers and comprising a movable bar, a lever having attachment with the said bar, and a slide having positive connection with the said lever to move it in each direction for operating the said bar to release the locking mechanism when the said slide is moved to a predetermined position intermediate of its extreme movements, substantially as set forth.

2. In combination, a vertical series of drawers having spring-actuated catches at their inner ends, vertical locking-bars adapted to engage with the said catches and secure the drawers, a connecting-bar uniting the vertical locking-bars, a horizontally-disposed lever connected at one end with the bar uniting the locking-bars, a slide, and a link connecting the slide with the opposite end of the said 1ever, and normally occupying an oblique position when the slide is pushed in or pulled out to the limit of its outer movement, but

which serves to release the drawer-locking mechanism when the said slide occupies a position intermediate of its extreme movements, substantially as set forth.

3. In a desk, or similar article of furniture, the combination with a drawer having a recess formed in the upper edge of one of its sides, a bar located within and filling the said recess, and adapted to swing horizontally, a frame hinged to the said bar and adapted to be supported at any inclination, and provided with means to retain newspapers, or similar periodicals, therein, and an extensible support for sustaining the leaves of the paper when turned back, said parts being constructed to fold snugly within the said drawer, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affiXed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

ANTON MUNICH. lVitnesses:

OnAs. SCHNEIDER, F. J. GETTEN. 

